Inner West Council is excited to support National NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme For Our Elders during the week-long celebration running from Sunday 2 July.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
The theme comes to life in the powerful community event Elders Lunch, which will see young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples serving lunch to Elders on Thursday 6 July at the Midjuburi Youth Resource Centre (MYRC) in Marrickville.
More than 150 people attended the lunch last year and bigger numbers are expected this year.
“We had our first lunch last year and it was a huge success and we’re excited to be partnering with Inner West Council for the first time,” said MYRC CEO Louise Hammond.
“We are a youth service and it is quite apt to have them serving elders lunch and teaching the young people that culturally we look after our Elders.”
In the same vein, MYRC will also partner with Council to host a fishing day on the Hawkesbury River near Brooklyn, strengthening connections between Elders and young people.
“It is the first time we are taking Elders and young people and I’ve heard from both they are really excited to be on the water, fishing and sharing a meal together,” Hammond said.
“These are two events that are important for NAIDOC, across generations and supporting our elders and what they do.”
The wider community is invited to take part in AbSec’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day on Thursday 4 July at PCYC Marrickville, between 10am-2pm.
Australians from all walks of life are encouraged to come together, connect and learn about Aboriginal culture.
This free event includes:
• Art, basket weaving and jewellery making stalls
• Rides, climbing wall, jumping castles
• Boomerang, clap stick painting
• Elders tent
• Free sausage sizzle
NAIDOC Week celebrations hit top gear with Wiradjuri man Karl Wickey at the Indigenous Dance Off in Dulwich Hill, on Monday 3 July.
Karl will have the kids dancing up a storm from 1:30pm – 2:30pm at the Emanuel Tsardoulias Community Library.
The Bush to Bowl event on Thursday 6 July offers a unique hands-on experience exploring Aboriginal culture, with a focus on bushtucker and art sessions.
Bookings are essential for the free two-hour event being hosted by the Addison Road Community Organisation – Gumbramorra Hall – in Marrickville.
For details on all events and bookings go to: www.innerest.nsw.gov.au/NAIDOCWeek.
